Storekeeper in court for allegedly stealing drinks worth N3.8m

March 8, 2017 2:36 AM

A storekeeper has been accused of stealing goods valued at N3.8 million belonging to his employer, Abikka Trading Company.

Sugar sweetened drinks

A 39-year-old storekeeper,

He denied committing the offence, while the magistrate, Mrs F. A. Azeez, granted him bail in the sum of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case till March 27 for mention.

Azeez said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Ademola, who entered a 'not-guilty’ plea to a charge of theft, is a resident of Fehintola Street, Ketu, Lagos State.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Emmanuel Ajayi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Feb. 17 at Agege, Lagos.

Ajayi said the accused stole goods valued at N3.8 million belonging to his employer, Abikka Trading Company.

“The accused fraudulently sold Nigeria Breweries and Guinness products worth N3.8 million and converted the money to his own,” he said.

He said that the company carried out stock audit and discovered that drinks worth the amount were missing.

“The company conducted counting of stock that was in care of the accused, there was shortage of N3.8 million which he could not give a satisfactory account of,” he said.

The prosecutor said that the accused made a confessional statement to the police that he actually sold the goods and converted the money to his personal use.

He said the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused, on conviction, may be jailed for three years, according to the provisions of the Criminal Law.